A federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the federal government to recover pensions paid to former states’ governors serving as Ministers and members of National Assembly respectively.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made this known in a tweet on Wednesday.
It said the court ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to institute appropriate legal actions to challenge the legality of states’ laws permitting former governors, who are now senators and ministers to enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.
The court, thereafter adjourned till February 3, 2020, for a report of compliance with the judgement by the federal government.
Odunews.com understands that the advocacy group had sued the federal government in 2017 over its “failure to stop former governors from receiving double pay and life pensions”.
It also sued the government for failing to seek the recovery of over “N40bn unduly received by the former governors” who are now serving senators and ministers.
Others named by SERAP as beneficiaries of the pensions and allowances are Rabiu Kwankwaso, Theodore Orji, Abdullahi Adamu, Sam Egwu, Shaaba Lafiagi, Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Sani Yarima, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Biodun Olujimi, Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige and Babatunde Fashola.
According to SERAP, it will not relent until the judgement is fully enforced and all state governors abolish the life pension law in their states.
